Smithsonian Institution Archives

National Zoological Park, Easter Monday Oral History Interviews, 2003

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU9615
Creators:
Dates:
2003
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
12 audiotapes (Reference copies).
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Introduction

Introduction
The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also reminiscences and interviews recorded by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
The National Zoological Park Easter Monday Oral History Interviews were recorded by the Smithsonian History Division to document this cultural tradition in Washington, D.C.

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
On April 21, 2003, Pamela M. Henson, of the Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, and Jeffrey Hyson, assistant professor at St. Joseph's College, conducted interviews with twelve zoo visitors on Easter Monday about their families' Easter Monday traditions and reminiscences of past Easter Monday visits to the National Zoo. Interviewees were Justine Love, Tyrone Parker, Donald Isaac, Clarence Miles, Antoinette Archie, Delois Jackson, Joyce Madyun, Benet Durant, John Matthews, Marie Reardon Dudley, Harold Flood, and Lorraine Miller.
This collection contains twelve interview sessions, totaling approximately 6 hours of recording. The interviews have not been transcribed.

Historical Note

Historical Note
After the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park opened in 1891, families began visiting the National Zoo on the Monday after Easter Sunday. Many of the visitors were African Americans who worked as domestics and had the day off after the Easter Sunday. Easter Monday at the National Zoo soon became a traditional African American family event. Especially popular among the many children were the Easter egg rolls down Lion-Tiger Hill in the park. The Easter Monday tradition has continued to the present, especially as an African American family celebration.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9615, National Zoological Park, Easter Monday Oral History Interviews

More Information

Notes

Oral Histories


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Henson, Pamela M., interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hyson, Jeffrey Nugent, interviewer Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archie, Antoinette Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dudley, Marie Reardon Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Durant, Benet Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Flood, Harold Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Issac, Donald Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jackson, Delois Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Love, Justine Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Madyun, Joyce Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Matthews, John Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Miller, Lorraine Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Parker, Tyrone Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African Americans -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Zoos Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Easter Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American families -- Social life and customs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Family recreation Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Easter eggs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Celebrations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Easter Monday Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African Americans Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African Americans -- Washington (D.C.) Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oral history Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African Americans -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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